My interest in pillboxes began as a young child when I used to play with my friends in and around an old World War 2 pillbox near Mill Hill East station in London

Why they were built.

They were built in a hurry as part of the measures to resist an expected German invasion of Britain in 1940. Made by local construction companies to many different designs, they were often further modified to suit a particular site.

They were supported by further defences of barbed wire, trenches and other earthworks, however these defences are now largely disappeared, leaving the pillbox as the sole reminder.

It is worth looking around if you come across one, because there are often more in the same area. They were sited to cover road junctions, river crossings and other important places. It was also usual to site them to give each other covering fire when they were in a group. Many were disguised in some way or built into other buildings like barns and bridges or even houses. Other defence remains are often nearby especially road block remains  such as concrete anti-tank obstacles, often left the side of the road after they were last used more than 65 years ago.

The letters and 6 digit numbers next to the photos signify the Ordnance Survey Map Reference but do not indicate in any way a right of way. If the location is on private land always ask the permission of the landowner before visiting..

Why I built this web site.

More and more of these fortifications have been destroyed over time and this site intends to illustrate those that remain and pay tribute to the men and women who were prepared to give their lives so that we can live in freedom.

Nowadays, they are largely ignored and left to the elements and the vandals even though these structures should rank in British History alongside the Norman castles as reminders of what Winston Churchill called "Their Finest Hour".

If the Battle of Britain had turned out differently our ancestors might have died in one defending the freedoms which many now take for granted.

How you can help support the site.

If anyone has any pictures, or any information about the locations shown, aswell as new locations that they would like to send me, I will put them on the site with full credit given. You can email me at info@pillboxesuk.co.uk. You can also buy a book of selected photos from the site on the links below. These sales help to pay the costs of running the site.

Many thanks to Jim Apps, Mick Ackrill, Phil Baggerley, Mark Brotherton, Tim Denton, Mark Dyson, Dave Pemberton, Robin Plummer, Dave Brown, Anne Burgess, Colin Anderson , Andy Thompson, Simon Whitlock, Stephen White, Peter Fullerton and Gordon Wilkie amongst others who have already sent me photos.

Ian Sanders  December 2005

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All contents copyright © 2001-2070, Ian Sanders; all rights reserved.
All photos taken by or from the collection of Ian Sanders,
except where specifically noted. Please respect my property rights,
and do not copy these photos or reproduce them in any other way.
This site is intended for historical research only, and no political
or philosophical aims should be assumed.

The information presented within this website is for information only. Defence Structures and sites above or below the surface can be very dangerous. Serious injury or even death can result from unauthorised entry into such structures and sites. Join a responsible responsible club or society which can arrange official visits.The authors of this website cannot and will not be held responsible for any event arising from information presented within this website.

You can e-mail the author at info@pillboxesuk.co.uk

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